Business representative asks council to change zoning for new Duchess store

John Gordon, representing Inglefield Oil Company, spoke during the public-comment portion to request a zoning change so the company could build an eighth Duchess store in Newark. "We currently have 7 Duchess stores here in, New York, Ohio. And, I'm here tonight to, ask for a change of zoning so that we could build an eighth," he said. Gordon said he had discussed the matter with a city staffer, "George Carter," and that staff recommended changing the zoning classification to General Business. The request was presented as public comment; no ordinance number or formal application was introduced during the meeting and no formal council action was taken at that time. Council members later referred several separate rezoning ordinances on the agenda to the planning commission, but Gordon's specific request was not tied to an agenda ordinance during this session. Anyone seeking to pursue a zoning change should file the appropriate application with the city planning department (no specific next steps were assigned on the record at the meeting).